Join The Diya Project’s Sid Morakhia and Music Vruksh’s Nithya Rajendran on a soulful exploration of Classical Music in our series on spiritual sounds and wellness. Music can be a hidden key to managing mindfulness, emotions and by extension our bodies. This fascinating discussion and demonstration focuses on helping find holistic wellness and encourages deeper levels of mindfulness and emotional awareness. Over this session, we continue our journey across Indian, or Hindustani, Classical Music and delve into the famed Carnatic tradition, techniques of Riyaaz, and the connections of Spiritual ..read more

The Many Gods & Goddesses of Hinduism There is a massive pantheon of multiple gods in the Hindu religion. But what do they stand for, and why do they exist? The Pantheon 33 million. That’s the number of gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. Hinduism is known for its multiple deities, with a divine being presiding over each and every facet and activity of humankind. Historians and theorists have compared (and therefore tried to explain) this large number to the workings of a large organisation with each god responsible for a particular department. Per this explanation, these gods are re ..read more

Join one of India’s Leading Classical Vocalists specializing in Thumri Music, Dhanashree Pandit Rai, accompanied by the talented Raahil Rai, and The Diya Project’s Sid Morakhia for an exploration of the Classical Indian Music. Dhanashree Pandit Rai is one of the leading Indian Classical vocalists specializing in the Thumri or semi-classical genre of Indian Music. Besides her concerts she is widely recognized for the lively commentaries that accompany her presentations which enlighten the audiences on the deeper mysteries of Indian music. Dhanashree has been conducting workshops on the ..read more

Join The Diya Project’s Sid Morakhia and Music Vruksh’s Nithya Rajendran on a soulful exploration of Classical Music in our series on spiritual sounds and wellness. Music can be a hidden key to managing mindfulness, emotions and by extension our bodies. This fascinating discussion and demonstration focuses on helping find holistic wellness and encourages deeper levels of mindfulness and emotional awareness. Over this session, we continue our journey across Indian, or Hindustani, Classical Music and delve into the famed Carnatic tradition, techniques of Riyaaz, and the connections of Spiritual ..read more

The Many Gods & Goddesses of Hinduism There is a massive pantheon of multiple gods in the Hindu religion. But what do they stand for, and why do they exist? The Pantheon 33 million. That’s the number of gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. Hinduism is known for its multiple deities, with a divine being presiding over each and every facet and activity of humankind. Historians and theorists have compared (and therefore tried to explain) this large number to the workings of a large organisation with each god responsible for a particular department. Per this explanation, these gods are re ..read more

What do we seek from religion and why are people so sensitive about it? There are multiple religions in the world with a plethora of options that offer one heightened awareness, inner peace and ultimately nirvana or some form thereof. But when years of religious practice often result in public conflict rather than bearing the fruits of peace and purity, I find myself wondering why.  Am I doing something wrong?  Why are my everyday rituals and hours of meditation not helping me find inner peace, happiness and love? Is everything based on karma or my good deeds are just for nothing? Is ..read more

I have to make a confession before I write this article. I am not very spiritual, nor do I practice or preach spirituality. Or so I thought. As I read these statements out loud to myself and start breaking down what it is to be and practice spirituality, I am questioning whether the above actually holds true given the culture and values at our workplace. Below are my thoughts on how I believe we can be more ‘spiritual’ in the workplace. As a coach and leader, I am constantly reminding my team to think and work for themselves. Encouraging them to realize their value and self-worth by thinking a ..read more

ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः । तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो॑ देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥ … 3,500-year-old Sanskrit words by Maharshi Vishvamitra that appear in the Rig Veda. But they are so much more than just twenty-four syllables held within a triplet of eight syllables. The Gayatri mantra, once a closely guarded secret between scholars, is a universal prayer to invoke the supreme creator. Dedicated to Goddess Gayatri (the mother of the Vedas) or Savitri (the deity of five elements), it is considered to be an appeal for wisdom and enlightenment to find the divine within.  The meaning and sign ..read more

Join one of India’s Leading Classical Vocalists specializing in Thumri Music, Dhanashree Pandit Rai, accompanied by the talented Raahil Rai, and The Diya Project’s Sid Morakhia for an exploration of the Classical Indian Music. Dhanashree Pandit Rai is one of the leading Indian Classical vocalists specializing in the Thumri or semi-classical genre of Indian Music. Besides her concerts she is widely recognized for the lively commentaries that accompany her presentations which enlighten the audiences on the deeper mysteries of Indian music. Dhanashree has been conducting workshops on the ..read more

Amr Khusro was a 13th century Sufi poet who is widely credited with merging the musical traditions of Persia and India to create Qawaali–a musical and poetic form of spiritual practice. Drawing from Islamic culture, Qawaalis use poetry to explore and describe ideas of devotion, mysticism, purpose, and truth amongst many other spiritual concepts. The poem below, Khabaram Raseeda, is one of Khusro’s most renowned works and is an excellent example of spiritual and introspective exploration Khabaram raseed imshab ki nigaar khuahi aamad; Sar-e man fidaa-e raah-e ki sawaar khuahi aamad. Ham-e aahw ..read more